Planning for a better London

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1955 Londoners have responded | 09/05/2025 - 22/06/2025

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Discussion | Creating space for London’s economy to grow

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Growing London’s economy is one of the Mayor’s priorities in the London Plan. It’s essential to creating good jobs, putting more money in people’s pockets, funding our public services and helping London’s communities through the cost-of-living crisis.   

Planning plays a key part in this, by providing the space and infrastructure for all businesses to thrive. Help us make sure we get the balance right. 

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Our high streets and town centres are important to London’s economy and communities. The next London Plan could take a more flexible approach to the range of businesses they provide. This could include commercial activity, such as light industrial, life sciences and laboratories, data centres, transportation and distribution centres, leisure, and circular economy activity. What do you think of this?

London has a thriving 24-hour economy and a quarter of London’s workforce (1.3 million people) regularly work between 6pm and 6am. The next London Plan could support facilities for night workers in relevant areas. This might include late-night shops, cafes, toilets, places of shelter and safe routes to public transport. What else do you think could support London’s night-time economy?

What ideas do you have for an inclusive and growing economy, that strategic planning could enable? Tell us what you think. 
 

Natalie from City Hall’s Planning team will be reading your comments and join in the conversation. Please share as much detail as you can.  

Like what others have commented? You can use the upvote or care button to show support. 

Please also see and join our other discussion on 'Building more homes for Londoners'.

About the London Plan (with video)

The London Plan sets out how we can build a fairer, safer, greener and more prosperous city for Londoners. It makes sure that we’ve planned for the homes, workplaces, and other facilities that Londoners need.   

The Mayor is required to update the London Plan every five years. His objectives for the next London Plan are to fix the housing crisis in London and deliver economic growth for all Londoners –  while ensuring we meet our ambitious climate commitments and improve our green spaces. Read more on our background page

Watch the video on growing London's economy

The discussion ran from 09 May 2025 - 22 June 2025

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Comments (157)

Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

Highly edited for space, these are bullet points that could take London toward the autonomy its governance needs if it is to be part of the C21 when it is likely metropolitan areas across the world could take on the mantle of city states in...

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Highly edited for space, these are bullet points that could take London toward the autonomy its governance needs if it is to be part of the C21 when it is likely metropolitan areas across the world could take on the mantle of city states in part replacing the nation state that become a global norm only after 1945. The economy would come under city-state governance and be democratically voted on through elections to the city-wide assembly. However, the following bullet points start from the present.

The governance of London should be changed by abolishing existing Borough Councils and replacing them with an adequately sized London Assembly, led by a First Minister (replacing the Mayoral role), equipped with tax-raising powers and operating on a legal par with the Governments of Wales and Scotland. Such a body, autonomous from Westminster regarding all domestic responsibilities and powers, could pass legislation setting its own targets for economic activity in all sectors and the social and cultural conditions within which those targets are realised.  These changes are quite possible once the political will is established.  The barrier is having a vastly over-centralised state supported by FPtP voting.  

The present governance of London could begin the process toward democratic political and economic autonomy by establishing think tanks charged with particular sectors of socio-economic activity which would in time contribute their parts to make a Manifesto for London - in effect a detailed London Plan for autonomy and what the new London would look like.  A cross-party alliance of perhaps Labour, Liberal and Green from within London would build the argument within each party, supported by popular cultural campaigns.  The likelihood is that progress will be in stages, the Manifesto for London being updated by the ongoing think tanks which must be maintained as intellectual and political hubs able to keep a London Plan progressively evolving.

 

 

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Toilets at night are so important as a capital city for citizens, night bus drivers too.

Avatar for - Pangolin

Yes! It would hopefully help with some smells too... 

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Yes! It would hopefully help with some smells too... 

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Avatar for - Tiger

Whilst any housebuilding is welcom e, I think the emphasis should be on council housing: a huge building   progam is needed. The excuse of 'No money' will  be trotted out, but that didn't stop the postwar governments.What's lacking is...

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Whilst any housebuilding is welcom e, I think the emphasis should be on council housing: a huge building   progam is needed. The excuse of 'No money' will  be trotted out, but that didn't stop the postwar governments.What's lacking is political will since New Labour capitulated to neoliberal doctrine.

 

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Avatar for - Tiger

Zero building on green belt. Free parking after 6pm and no more removing lanes or roads for cycling. Remove 20mph from all roads where average speed was above that before. Change all parking permit system to weight based. 

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Zero building on green belt. Free parking after 6pm and no more removing lanes or roads for cycling. Remove 20mph from all roads where average speed was above that before. Change all parking permit system to weight based. 

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Avatar for - Adelie penguin

The quality of high street businesses has declined a lot. Betting shops, poor signage, and dirty storefronts especially in more urban areas. There needs to be better restrictions on this.

Avatar for - Adelie penguin

Yep, and also to think about how nearby high streets and main roads can be used to serve the needs of a growing population from new developments. Adapting these declining streets is key to creating growing and thriving communities! 

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Yep, and also to think about how nearby high streets and main roads can be used to serve the needs of a growing population from new developments. Adapting these declining streets is key to creating growing and thriving communities! 

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Avatar for - Adelie penguin

CAR-FREE REVOLUTION.

Avatar for - Adelie penguin

Reducing private vehicles must be done by incentivising the use of and improving the quality of transport links, not by targeting the motorist directly. There are too many areas of London with poor bus and train links and punishing...

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Reducing private vehicles must be done by incentivising the use of and improving the quality of transport links, not by targeting the motorist directly. There are too many areas of London with poor bus and train links and punishing residents further must be avoided. I think many people in outer London would happily reduce or eliminate their use of personal vehicles if alternative transport was improved. 

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Avatar for - Adelie penguin

And considering the accessibility needs of people who are disabled or carers for disabled people who have no option but to use private vehicles

Avatar for - Leatherback sea turtle

That's horrid prejudice that would harm the lives of the most disadvantaged

Avatar for -

Make it green!

Avatar for - Sumatran elephant

Public transport in London is definitely not safe. I don't go out after dark if I can't drive from my home to the venue and have safe parking close  by.

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Public transport in London is definitely not safe. I don't go out after dark if I can't drive from my home to the venue and have safe parking close  by.

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Looking at my local neighborhood in tower hamlets, there aren't enough commercial businesses such as shops, restaurants, cafes, and fitness venues. There are a few spaces, both old and new, which have have available for some time and have...

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Looking at my local neighborhood in tower hamlets, there aren't enough commercial businesses such as shops, restaurants, cafes, and fitness venues. There are a few spaces, both old and new, which have have available for some time and have great locations, however no one seems to want to use them to open a business. This could be due to high barriers to entry such as rent.

Perhaps the government and local councils can encourage and help businesses and local entrepreneurs to open more brick and mortar businesses through commercial rent regulations or loans.

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Avatar for - Sumatran elephant

In West Norwood we have enough restaurants  and shops. However, what we don't have is access, i.e. parking. 

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In West Norwood we have enough restaurants  and shops. However, what we don't have is access, i.e. parking. 

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Avatar for - Sea turtle

City hall should introduce a housing taskforce, which would go around London to ensure, homes do not remain empty, as well as checking private landlords have a rental licence. The housing taskforce should have similar rights to that of law...

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City hall should introduce a housing taskforce, which would go around London to ensure, homes do not remain empty, as well as checking private landlords have a rental licence. The housing taskforce should have similar rights to that of law enforcement and be able to force landlords to act and treat all tenants appropriately within the housing law.

The new housing taskforce can also ensure the right resident is living in the property they are renting, by ensuring the tenants identification is checked, as well as their tenancy agreement. This will then reduce tenancy fraud and illegal subletting and will also ensure homes are being let and let to the right resident.  

The housing taskforce can also be used by ensuring tenants welfare and property is met to a legal standard, regarding disrepair, health and safety, antisocial behaviour or neglect.

The housing taskforce can also ensure all residential property is being used for the right purpose, and not being used for industrial use, which can cause harm to other residents, the rental property or the environment.

The housing taskforce can also ensure a fair rents policy is being implemented to all residential properties.

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Avatar for - Staghorn coral

O imagine un punct de muncă pentru situation de urgență ce acapeaza timpu lor pierdut  locuințe sociale ce uni primari care nu își respectă atribuția ca primar Consilieri care nu își ia rol lor de consilier pentru a ajuta oameni de rind...

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O imagine un punct de muncă pentru situation de urgență ce acapeaza timpu lor pierdut  locuințe sociale ce uni primari care nu își respectă atribuția ca primar Consilieri care nu își ia rol lor de consilier pentru a ajuta oameni de rind săraci oameni care dorm pe străzi fără o apă  multii înțeleg își consumă viața cu droguri? Dar fiecare Consilier are dreptu de a ajuta și a respecta persoana de homless  așa mi s-a intimplat mie să nu fiu ajutat în seven sister de Primăria totteham hale consilieri m-au discriminat și mi-au respins ajutorul pe care eu am anutat în 2024 eram și într-o boală sănătate mintală nu a avut niciun respect eii dece oare multii Consilieri nu își respectă atribuția și sireozitatea față de Primaru Londrei dece mulți așteaptă ca primarul Londrei să li se oferă bani bunuri de care  multii consilieri nu-și respectă munca cu drag succes dar fiți multii și arătați ca iubim și să iubiți Londra ca asta-i e să fim uniți nu să se discrimineze persoane de dizabilități și persoane fără adaposturi

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Hi florin

Thank you for your comment. We had to translate it but were sorry to read about your experience. 

We hope you managed to find the support you were looking for? Here are some links to information and organisations that may be able to help:

Best wishes,
Talk London team
 

Avatar for - Sea turtle

Town planning is too convenient a scapegoat for the failure to build affordable housing, and affordable housing is too rarely affordable, and too rarely of acceptable quality. Something needs to give in the endless pile up of property value...

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Town planning is too convenient a scapegoat for the failure to build affordable housing, and affordable housing is too rarely affordable, and too rarely of acceptable quality. Something needs to give in the endless pile up of property value and shutting out of ordinary Londonders, and the most obvious thing is the amount of domestic and office property being built in London that's empty for 90% of the year. 
I don't want planning laws ripped up, because they make homes and public spaces worth living in. I don't want building regulations ripped up, because that leads to tragedies like Grenfell. I want London to work for the people that live in it, not investors and speculators. There's no need to build in green belts, unless the London Plan is too weak to challenge the empty buildings owned by millionaires and billionaires in the centre. To do that will just make the problem worse, and push ordinary Londoners farther and farther out, whilst the centre becomes a playground for the disinterested ultra-rich.

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Avatar for - Colombian spotted frog

The greenbelt needs to be made more environmentally important and used to promote biodiversity by planting meadows, wildflowers, creating woodland, lakes, reservoirs etc. Currently, acres of empty green fields are just a waste of vital land...

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The greenbelt needs to be made more environmentally important and used to promote biodiversity by planting meadows, wildflowers, creating woodland, lakes, reservoirs etc. Currently, acres of empty green fields are just a waste of vital land.


There are so many empty sites in London including those with planning permission that are just standing idle. These developers/owners should be made to develop or to sell. We also have a lot of old estates that are no longer fit for purpose and should be regenerated.


There needs to be more ideas on how to build and develop as we often end up with copy and paste developments with no consideration of creating an attractive environment and an area people can enjoy living and socialising in. People also need to feel safe and anti-social behaviour and crime is ruining many parts of London.

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Interesting point, my view is that the land you are talking about can be split two ways.  Some can be allowed for development and other should be developed as you say into space for children or wildlife.

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Interesting point, my view is that the land you are talking about can be split two ways.  Some can be allowed for development and other should be developed as you say into space for children or wildlife.

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Avatar for - Staghorn coral

The undesirable people are those who create nuisance and carry out stabbings on the public transport. Like the two 16 year olds stabbing in south london.

Avatar for - Amur leopard

In all honesty I just want to be able to afford a house in the town I was born in, on a salary that is more than double the median UK average salary. That’s all I have to contribute. Please fix the state of London housing. Please. 

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In all honesty I just want to be able to afford a house in the town I was born in, on a salary that is more than double the median UK average salary. That’s all I have to contribute. Please fix the state of London housing. Please. 

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Avatar for - Staghorn coral

Better bus service and tube trains with more police protection and surveillance to deter undesirable elements targeting the travelling public. More police patrols near the stations and more manned CCTV in remote locations.

Avatar for - Adelie penguin

What makes a person undesirable? We all have the right to use public space.

Avatar for -

I would categorise such "undesirables" asg generally having a proclivity to wards commiting crime, and an aversion towards earning an honest wage.

Avatar for - Sumatran elephant

First, why haven’t we helped our existing businesses support the London economy? We are in one of the biggest cities in the world, yet there is no thriving nightlife industry   compared to other  cities like Manchester, which has better...

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First, why haven’t we helped our existing businesses support the London economy? We are in one of the biggest cities in the world, yet there is no thriving nightlife industry   compared to other  cities like Manchester, which has better nightlife in all aspects. The reason for that is that the mayor and the locals are not supporting any nightlight venues; take a look at Hackney Council, for example, one of the strictest restrictions on new venues, so I find his headlines a bit hypocritical. Also, it’s unbelievable that the same people who have been pushing this green agenda suddenly are in favour of destroying green space. We have to protect the green ball because London is already big enough. Maybe build houses elsewhere and don’t destroy the green areas. 

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

Culture isn’t something that happens behind ticket barriers or velvet ropes—it should be everywhere, every day, for everyone.

London is full of blank canvases—empty walls, dull walkways, grey underpasses—and they’re begging to be transformed...

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Culture isn’t something that happens behind ticket barriers or velvet ropes—it should be everywhere, every day, for everyone.

London is full of blank canvases—empty walls, dull walkways, grey underpasses—and they’re begging to be transformed. Why not open these spaces up to artists and students through structured collaborations with schools, universities, and local arts organisations? When done right, these projects don’t just beautify a space—they build confidence, connection, and pride. Young people don’t need to be paid to express themselves when institutions are investing in their growth, visibility, and opportunity.

Let’s make the city feel lived in and alive—with murals, poetry trails, mosaics, performance nooks. Public space should spark imagination, not just serve as a corridor to the nearest Pret.

We also need to protect and expand real cultural venues on high streets—places for music, dance, theatre, crafts, debate—not just entertainment for tourists or luxury pop-ups. These venues must be affordable, locally run, and integrated into community life. Creativity shouldn’t cost a fortune or require travelling zones away. Give every neighbourhood a stage and a paintbrush, not another betting shop.

Independent and grassroots initiatives need space, not just lip service. Planning should support meanwhile-use projects, rent protections for creative hubs, and long-term cultural strategies rooted in local needs—not dictated by market forces.

More art. More colour. More joy. Culture isn’t a luxury—it’s the heartbeat of a shared city.

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

London needs more than just green ambitions—it needs green realities, rooted in the lives of the people who actually live here.

We don’t just need more parks—we need to protect and expand the ones we’ve got. Green spaces aren’t decorative...

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London needs more than just green ambitions—it needs green realities, rooted in the lives of the people who actually live here.

We don’t just need more parks—we need to protect and expand the ones we’ve got. Green spaces aren’t decorative extras; they’re vital lungs for our city, especially in areas facing both overheating and overdevelopment. Every time we lose a patch of grass or woodland “to make room for housing,” we’re not solving a crisis—we’re shifting it.

We must stop pushing housing to the edges while leaving the centre reserved for wealth. Communities shouldn’t be priced out of the places they work, study, or grew up in, just because homes only get built miles away and greenery is treated as optional.

Let’s reimagine the city’s very fabric—greener streets, not just greener zones. Pedestrianised avenues should be shaded with trees, not flanked by concrete. Roads should bloom: planters, pocket parks, wildflower corridors that soften harsh edges, cool the air, and absorb surface water. Green infrastructure helps reduce deadly heatwaves and lowers the risk of urban flooding—essential as the climate shifts.

Unused walls, rooftops, railway arches—let’s cover them in green. Vertical gardens, climbing plants, and community food growing don’t just look good—they manage rainwater, clean the air, and bring nature into daily life.

Strategic planning should champion a vision of a London where nature isn’t banished—it’s built in. Not tomorrow. Now.

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly

If the goal is a “thriving, inclusive economy,” then we need to talk about power, and who gets shut out.

Developers currently have too much say in both the narrative and the outcomes. “Viability” loopholes have made a mockery of affordable...

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If the goal is a “thriving, inclusive economy,” then we need to talk about power, and who gets shut out.

Developers currently have too much say in both the narrative and the outcomes. “Viability” loopholes have made a mockery of affordable housing—30% isn’t enough, and even that’s rarely truly affordable. The people building London, working in it, caring for it, can’t live in it. Strategic planning should reverse this imbalance, not reinforce it.

High streets need protection, not just flexibility. We’ve already seen the damage caused when “mixed-use” becomes a cover for slow-motion gentrification. Strip away workshops, bakeries, rehearsal rooms, and you don’t get a creative city—you get a sterile, overpriced corridor of Deliveroo kitchens and mini-chain cafés. Planning must prioritise independent businesses, social enterprises, and cooperatives—with rent controls and right-to-return clauses when areas are redeveloped.

Ownership matters. If the next London Plan is serious about community wealth, it must actively support cooperative models, community land trusts, and mutualised enterprise zones. These models don’t just redistribute profit—they keep wealth circulating within communities, build long-term resilience, and give residents actual democratic control over place-making.

The night-time economy doesn’t just mean more hours of capitalism. A proper 24-hour city needs independent venues, queer spaces, safe transport, staffed toilets, shelter options, and dignified working conditions. If all that survives past midnight is logistics hubs and a few chain bars, then it’s not a night-time economy—it’s just exploitation on a later shift.

Planning must stop being neutral. It either upholds inequality or redistributes power. We need a Plan that isn’t afraid to say no to the kind of growth that hollowed out boroughs, sold off land, and left communities fighting for scraps.

Prioritise people, not profits. Give communities the tools and the space to build a city that actually lives.

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Avatar for - Tiger

Well said! 👏🏻👏🏻


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